Mr. Fritz.

I heard all kinds of reports about that rifle. They called it most everything.

Mr. Ball.

Did you hear any conversation right there that day?

Mr. Fritz.

Right at that time?

Mr. Ball.

Yes

Mr. Fritz.

I just wouldn't be sure because there were so many people talking at the same time, I might have; I am not sure whether I did or not.

Mr. Ball.

Did you think it was a Mauser?

Mr. Fritz.

No, sir; I knew--you can read on the rifle what it was and you could also see on the cartridge what caliber it was.

Mr. Ball.

Well, did you ever make any---did you ever say that it was a 7.65 Mauser?

Mr. Fritz.

No, sir; I am sure I did not.

Mr. Ball.

Or did you think it was such a thing?

Mr. Fritz.

No, sir; I did not. If I did, the Mauser part, I won't be too positive about Mauser because I am not too sure about Mauser rifles myself. But I am certainly sure that I never did give anyone any different caliber than the one that shows on the cartridges.

Mr. Ball.

Did you initial the rifle?

Mr. Fritz.

The rifle; no, sir.

Mr. Ball.

You didn't. Who did you give the rifle to after you ejected this live cartridge?

Mr. Fritz.

I believe that that rifle, I didn't take the rifle with me, Lieutenant Day took that rifle, I believe, to the city hall, and later I asked him to bring it down--I don't believe I ever carried that rifle to city hall. I believe Lieutenant Day carried it to city hall, anyway if you will ask him he can be more positive than I.

Mr. Ball.

While you were there Mr. Truly came up to you?

Mr. Fritz.

Yes, sir; where the rifle was found. That was about the time we finished Mr. Truly came and told me that one of his employees had left the building, and I asked his name and he gave me his name, Lee Harvey Oswald, and I asked his address and he gave me the Irving address.

Mr. Ball.

This was after the rifle was found?

Mr. Fritz.

Yes, sir; after the rifle was found.

Mr. Ball.

Another witness has testified that the rifle was found at 1:22 p.m., does that about accord with your figures or your memory?

Mr. Fritz.

Let's see, I might have that here. I don't think I have that time.

Mr. Ball.

Do you have the time at which the shells were found?

Mr. Fritz.

No, sir; I don't have that time.

Mr. Ball.

How long did you stay there at the Texas School Book Depository?

Mr. Mccloy.

Can I ask one question there, did you take any precautions as to fingerprints before you ejected this?

Mr. Fritz.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Mccloy.

So in your opinion your fingerprints wouldn't show?

Mr. Fritz.

He could have taken mine but I let him dust first before I ejected a shell.

Mr. Ball.

How long did you stay at the Texas School Book Depository after you found the rifle?

Mr. Fritz.

After he told me about this man almost, I left immediately after he told me that.

Mr. Ball.

You left almost immediately after he told you that?

Mr. Fritz.

Almost after he told me that man, I felt it important to hold that man.

Mr. Ball.

Did you give descriptions to Sims and Boyd?

Mr. Fritz.

Yes, sir; I told them to drive me to city hall and see if the man had a criminal record and we picked up two other officers and my intentions were to go to the house at Irving. When I got to the city hall, I asked, because, I will tell you why I asked because while we were in the building we heard that our officer had been killed, someone came in and told me, I asked when I got to my office who shot the officer, and they told me his name was Oswald, and I said, "His full name?" And they told me and I said, "That is the suspect we are looking for in the President's killing."